About
Forever learning and observing...
Painting has taught me that the more closely I observe nature, the more extraordinary it becomes.
I am fascinated by the quiet beauty of ordinary things: a feather found on a walk, a shell washed ashore, a simple vegetable picked from the garden. I treat these simple objects in the same way as a portrait subject, trying to convey their essence without painting every detail.
I invite the viewer to pause and participate in completing the picture and appreciating the sometimes simple, sometimes complex beauty.
My Journey
I picked up art again properly in Lockdown in Winter 2020. I mainly paint in oils but I also sketch watercolours and pastels. I am largely self taught though I have attended in-person short courses at Raw Umber Studios in Stroud led by respected artists and online courses with artist Jacob Dhein, T J Cunningham, the Slade School of Fine Art and the Sadie Valeri Atelier in California. I have also successfully completed a Diploma in Art Appreciation with the Art Institute. I call it my second career as my first career was in the wine industry. In fact I am a Master of Wine trying to become a Master of Art. Though it's only a local exhibition in Bath, I won the 'Emerging Artist' award in 2023 for my Blue Glass Bottle oil painting entry. I am a member of Stroud Artists' Cooperative and New Bath Arts Club and exhibit regularly with them.
I live in the Cotswolds and love walking through the countryside, spotting birds, wildlife, plants and beautiful views.
My intention with this website is to record some of my journey so do sign up to my newsletter and see how I progress. I'm also on Facebook and Instagram where I post what I'm up to when I'm painting and sometimes when I'm not!
I hope you enjoy my artwork. Your support is very important to my practice so please do send me any suggestions or feedback.
Susan
Exhibitions
2026 - Substance & Sensitivity, Gardens Gallery, Cheltenham
2026 - New Bath Arts Club Open Art Exhibition
2025 - SAC at Sixteen Gallery, Cheltenham - Wall of Small
2025 - Stroud Artists Cooperative Winter Exhibition
2025 - New Bath Arts Club Annual Members' Exhibition
2024 - Stroud Artists Cooperative Winter Exhibition
2024 - New Bath Arts Club Annual Members' Exhibition
2024 - Stroud Artists Cooperative 100 Shades Exhibition
2024 - Cirencester Local Information Centre - local watercolours
2024 - 44AD Associates Annual Exhibition - Static Energy
2023 - Bath Open Art Prize (winner of Emerging Artist Award)
2023 - Stroud Artists Cooperative Winter Exhibition
Why I love painting Still Life
I am increasingly drawn to paint Still Life. I find beauty in simple objects and enjoy composing groups and lighting to create a mood or atmosphere. Some objects are very symbolic, I have a fascination with eggs for example - read my article on this. I've also painted a series of apples. Sometimes I will paint these in a realistic way or get my palette knife and then instinct takes over. I also like painting with a limited palette of just a few colours as I like the overall feeling of harmony that this can create.
A word on Authenticity, Art and Truth
I am completely amazed and in awe at what is possible with apps like Photoshop and Procreate and now you can ask AI to create images in various styles, but it does mean that we no longer know when we are looking at something whether it is real or not (whatever we mean by 'real'). Original art, where you can see and touch the brushstrokes from the hand of the artist, is unequivocally true and authentic and if you buy direct from the artist, it is even better to have that personal connection. I firmly believe original art will become more valuable in tomorrow's AI world.
